As we mark National Blood Donor Week, the GRH community would like to thank generous donors inside and outside of the hospital for rolling up their sleeves and giving the gift of life.
The need for blood is constant through GRH's programs and services. Our patients need more than 9,000 units of red blood cells every year.
The need is also diverse, covering all ages and stages of life. For example, donor blood:
- Can support new mothers in GRH's childbirth program, which experiences more than 4,000 births a year;
- Assists premature babies receiving care in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit;
- Is regularly used in emergency and surgical cases;
- Is vital in the treatment of cancer; and
- Supports patients with kidney failure who need life-sustaining treatment for years.
The GRH community has been part of Canadian Blood Services' Partners For Life program since 2010. Staff, physicians and volunteers have given more than 2,200 units of blood through the lifetime of the program.
As a single unit of donated blood can help three people, up to 6,600 people have benefited from the blood of GRH donors. And we plan to keep giving!
One in two Canadians is eligible to give blood. Unfortunately, only one in every 60 people will actually give. If you haven't given yet, please consider doing so... your gift can make an enormous difference to the health of patients right here in Waterloo Region.
Please visit Canadian Blood Services website (opens in a new tab) or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book your appointment.